Two Chatham locomotives · Still here
Still on
the rails.
One steam locomotive. One diesel. AJAX and Rochester Castle are two of the Chatham locomotives that remain at the Historic Dockyard.
Meet the locomotives ↓
Rochester Castle · Yard No. 562 At the Historic Dockyard Chatham
01Still part of the place
Two survivors.
One dockyard.
The railway’s story is still visible in the locomotives kept on the Dockyard rails.
AJAX and Rochester Castle are different machines with different jobs and histories. Together, they connect the working railway to the Dockyard visitors see today.
02Steam locomotive · 1941
AJAX
Robert Stephenson & Hawthorns · Works No. 7042 · M.E.D. No. 6 · Yard No. 361 · 0-4-0ST
Delivered new to Chatham Dockyard in 1941, AJAX is a saddle-tank steam locomotive. It is currently undergoing overhaul, with a fundraising effort underway to support the work.
Overhaul underway · Fundraising in progress
03Diesel locomotive · 1955
Rochester Castle
F.C. Hibberd & Co. · Works No. 3738 · 4wDM · Yard No. 562
One of six Hibberd diesel locomotives named after Kent castles, Rochester Castle was built new for Chatham in 1955. The castle-named locomotives worked at the Dockyard until it closed in 1984. After a restoration involving 4,000 volunteer hours, Rochester Castle is soon to re-enter service.
Restoration complete · Return to service soonRead about the Hibberd Planet design ↗
04Keep exploring
Every vehicle
has a story.
Explore the historic registers for more information about locomotives, cranes and rolling stock connected with the railway.
Browse all registers ↗
Read their register entries